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Recent bird sightings:
Sites - Puerto Inirida

Site evaluation: 3 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Species:  
Elevation: 85 m
Climate: Hot and humid
Trails: Guided
Accommodation: 3 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Food: 3 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Hot water: No
Electricity: Yes
Communications: Cell phone
Region: Eastern Lowlands
Location: Puerto Inirida, Depts of Vichada & Guainia
Summary: This remote frontier town of 10,000 people is situated on the banks of the Río Inírida and Río Guaviare in easternmost Colombia, close to the Venezuelan border. It lies on the edge of the Llanos and Amazon basins, and is characterized by unique ?white sand? forest and savannah. Also accessible via hired boat are the Cerros de Mavecurí: three impressive rock outcrops that loom 300 m above the flat Guainía plain.

While this area is thought to be safe at the moment, it should only be visited with a knowledgeable local guide.
Endemics:
Key Species: Scarlet Macaw, Black-headed Parrot, Giant Snipe, Least Nighthawk, Spotted Puffbird, Short-billed Leaftosser, Cherrie's Antwren, Spot-backed Antwren, Citron-bellied Attila, Azure-naped Jay, and Brown-headed Greenlet.
Access: Twice weekly flights by Satena from Bogota serve this town. River transport is the only other means of transportation to the area. A few roads within the close vicinity of town allow access to surrounding habitats.
Site Description: Scrub and savannah
Key sp.: Russet-crowned Crake, Green-tailed Goldenthroat, Golden-spangled Piculet, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Cherrie?s Antwren, White-lored Tyrannulet, Least Nighthawks, Plumbeous Euphonia, and White-colored Euphonia.

White sand scrub and savannah was found just around and just north of the airport. Heading south from the airport, you will pass several farms and more secondary scrub. After about 1.5 km, you will come to an open area of pure short-grass savanna. There will be a turn to the right (west) which goes back to an Indian reservation (lowland forest). The savanna at the intersection was good for night birds. Another km south you will cross a small stream bordered by gallery forest. At the next small stream, shortly thereafter, is some good tall white sand gallery forest. Just beyond this area of gallery forest, there is another area of savanna, bounded with some good dense scrub.


Gallery forest and wetlands
Key sp.: Cocoi Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Orinoco Goose, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Blackish Nightjar, Black-bellied Thorntail, Scarlet Macaws, Swallow-winged Puffbird, Brown Jacamar, Capuchinbird, White-throated Toucan, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Scale-backed Antbird, Cherrie?s Gray Antwren, Black-chinned Antbird, Pompadour Cotinga, Snethlage?s Tody-Tyrant, Rufous-tailed Flatbill, Citron-bellied Attila, Grayish Mourner, Black-collared Swallow, Brown-headed Greenlet, White-lored Euphonia, Red-shouldered Tanager, and Azure-naped Jay

A road north from Puerto Inírida ends at a town called Coco. There, perched above the river, is a nice mixture of scrub, secondary forest and riverine vegetation. If time permits take a boat trip from the town (arrange at Hotel or with locals at Coco) up the Río Inírida.

About 2 km past the area of scrub (south of the airport), the dirt road surface changes from white sand to reddish, as the road makes a bend to the west. At this point of the bend in the road, take a small road that continues straight ahead. Birding areas can be found on both roads. The main road continues for 2 km to La Granja, but 500 m before La Granja the road passes over a stream that has gallery forest along it. Enter the forest by heading south through the fields of an abandoned home. Taking the small track that bears straight ahead at the bend you will pass through a mosaic of savannah and gallery forest. Continue south along this track for 10-15 km to improved habitat and birding.

Lowland forest
Key sp.: White-browed Purpletuft, Short-billed Leaftosser, Golden-headed Manakin and Paradise Tanager.

A large area of excellent lowland forest can be found south of the Indian reservation, taking a right 1.5 km south of the airport and the next left turn in open savannah. After several km you enter degraded forest and the road ends at a large house. From here bird along a clear trail heading southwards into good forest and swampy areas; this area holds numerous forest specialties
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